Tag: Steve Elkins

Dear Neighbors,

A lot is continuing to happen at the Legislature. We are working together and taking critical actions to make sure Minnesota can get through this crisis. Here are some developments you should be aware of.

House approves funding for emergency COVID-19 bills
Yesterday I voted with my colleagues to approve a package of emergency COVID-19 bills to help protect Minnesotans’ health and economic security. The legislation passed today includes, among other things, $9 million to the Department of Human Services for food security, $26.5 million for the Emergency Service Grants program to provide shelter for Minnesota’s homeless population, $30 million in one-time grants to child care providers, $10 million for small business loans, financial relief for Minnesota’s workers, and the necessary flexibility for state agencies to respond to the pandemic.

Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 27, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

The situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid and is changing by the day. Here are some important developments that you may have missed. And remember, please stay home if you can.

Governor Walz signs executive orders to halt evictions

This afternoon Governor Walz signed executive order 20-14 which will halt all evictions during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Evictions are especially devastating at a time like this not only because so many of us are financially insecure, but an increase in unhoused people during a pandemic would worsen the public health crisis. The order specifies that those of use who are still able to pay rent must do so. This order will give thousands of Minnesotans the respite they need to get through this crisis. You can read more about the order here. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 23, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

Here are some of the most recent developments related to COVID-19. A lot of important work is being done to see us through these uncertain times. Minnesota is continuing to be a leader in response to this pandemic.

Governor Walz issues more executive orders

Yesterday morning the governor issued three additional executive orders addressing the Covid-19 outbreak. Today, Governor Walz has issued Executive Order 20-03, Executive Order 20-06, and Executive 20-07 to further strengthen Minnesota’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive orders protect residents of Veterans Homes; exempt vehicles and drivers from certain regulations to ensure efficient emergency supply relief throughout the state; and provide paid leave and other support for state employees, respectively.

Minnesota Department of Revenue suspends sales tax for certain businesses. 

Here is a statement from the MN Department of Revenue: Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 19, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

Early this morning the House moved to adjourn until April 14th, but not before we voted to set aside emergency funding for a COVID response. The House and Senate will meet in floor and committee sessions on an on-call basis through April 14. During this time period, the Legislature will only take up legislation on the House and Senate floors by agreement of the House DFL, House GOP, Senate DFL and Senate GOP caucus leaders

Emergency COVID-19 investment in health care system

We stayed up past midnight last night to pass SF 4334, providing $200 million in investments for the health care response fund and Minnesota’s public health response contingency account. Above all we have a duty to provide our health care system with everything it needs to get us through this safely. The bill provides $150 million to the Minnesota Department of Health to make grants to eligible providers for costs related to managing COVID-19. As a condition of accepting a grant, the provider must agree not to bill uninsured patients for the cost of COVID-19 screening, testing, or treatment. If a patient is out-of-network, the provider must agree to accept the median network rate as payment in full. The additional $50 million is appropriated to the public health response contingency account, which allows MDH to make flexible payments throughout our healthcare system where needed. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 17, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

A lot of us will be entering uncharted territory in the coming weeks, but by following the advice of our health professionals and elected officials we will be able to make this process as painless as possible. Minnesota leadership is taking the actions needed to slow the spread of COVID-19, and now each and every one of us must do our part in this collective effort to save lives. Here is what you should know.

For our part, Legislators are here at the Capitol, poised to take any legislative action that may be necessary to implement the State’s emergency plans. I will be in my office most of the week, though my staff will be working from home, so calls will be rolling over to voice mail. Since all of our committee meetings have been cancelled, this week, I will be able to respond to constituent communications. Please call or e-mail rather than appearing, here, in person.

School Cancelations

Governor Walz announced over the weekend that Minnesota schools will be closed for at least eight days starting Wednesday March 18, though some schools may close earlier. This closure is to ensure the safety of our students and to give the schools time to prepare the best methods to teach remotely. This was certainly a tough call for Gov. Walz, but one I believe is for the benefit of all Minnesotans. You can watch the full statements of Gov. Walz and the Department of Education Commissioner Ricker here. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 16, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

Our District 49 Town Hall meeting scheduled for Monday, March 16 has been cancelled amid growing concerns regarding COVID-19. Please visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s website for more information.

I encourage you to continue to reach out to me via telephone (651-296-7803) or email at the Capitol anytime with questions or input.

I’m honored to represent our engaged community.

Sincerely,

Steve Elkins
State Representative

Dear Neighbors,

It was a very productive week for us at the House last week and I’m ready to keep the ball rolling as we move into week four. Here is a quick recap of what I’ve helped the House accomplish so far this session.

Primary Elections
The presidential primary elections are today, Tuesday, March 3rd. You can find your polling place here. Last week, the House passed the Secretary of State’s primary election privacy bill that would allow the Secretary to State to withhold sending the information about which party’s primary you voted in if you so desire. For this law to be effective, the Senate would also have to pass it sometime in the next month, or so. (The Secretary of State doesn’t have to send out the data until about 10 weeks after the election).

If you early voted for a candidate who has dropped out of the race, it’s too late to change your vote (that had to be done a week in advance of the election). Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: March 3, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

Legislators have returned to St. Paul for the 2020 legislative session. It’s a new year, but Minnesotans’ values and the values that guide my work at the Capitol haven’t changed. We know that Minnesotans care about each other and want to see one another succeed.

Whether it’s world-class schools, affordable health care, gun violence prevention, local jobs projects, Paid Family & Medical Leave, or Earned Sick & Safe Time, these are priorities for all Minnesotans — no matter where you live or what you look like.

If you have a personal story, idea, or question related to business at the State Capitol, please get in touch. You can find my full contact information online at www.house.mn/49b and connect with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateRepSteveElkins. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: February 19, 2020”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well. The 2020 legislative session gets underway next week on February 11 for what is sure to be a policy-packed 16-week period. Last year, lawmakers were tasked with setting and delivering a balanced state budget, which means much of our focus will be finding common ground with the GOP-led Senate on a policy-driven agenda that continues moving Minnesota forward. Please take a moment to share your priorities with me by taking a brief survey.

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Real ID Update

Effective October 1 of this year, Minnesotans will need a Real ID or passport to board a commercial aircraft or enter certain federal facilities. Consider getting a jump start on Real ID by renewing your driver’s license or ID card prior to the fall deadline, even if your current license isn’t expiring, this year. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: February 5, 2020”